Everyone Need to know about “International Animation Day”

ASIFA created the International Animation Day (IAD) in 2002, honoring the birth of animation, recognized as the first public performance of projected moving images: Emile Reynaud’s Theatre Optique in Paris, on the 28th October 1892.

Théâtre Optique

The Théâtre Optique (Optical Theatre) was an animated moving picture system invented by Émile Reynaud and patented in 1888. From 28 October 1892 to March 1900 Reynaud gave over 12,800 shows to a total of over 500.000 visitors at the Musée Grévin in Paris. His Pantomimes Lumineuses series of animated films include Pauvre Pierrot and Autour d’une cabine. Reynaud’s Théâtre Optique predated Auguste and Louis Lumière’s first commercial, public screening of the cinematograph on 28 December 1895, which has long been seen as the birth of film.

ASIFA coordinates and helps promote IAD celebrations all over the world, putting the art of animation in the limelight in a global worldwide celebration of animation. In recent years, this unique event has been commemorated in more than 50 countries, on every continent of the world.

Every day we witness the importance and beauty of animation in a variety of media. It spreads in commercial theatres – featuring 3D animation and special effects, on TV, publicity, music industry, cross media, internet, but, and most specially, it develops and grows as an art form, through shorts, multimedia and feature films, created by independent authors, artists, students, and children from all over the world.

Animation includes an impressive range of approaches, techniques and goals. Created by drawing, painting, animating puppets and objects, using clay, sand, paper and computer, working with multiple narratives and non-narratives, reflecting a diversity of themes and performances, presented on a variety of platforms. All of this confirms that ANIMATION is an extraordinary and powerful medium of art, cultural expression and communication. And, as a visual storytelling medium, animation can communicate across cultures without verbal language. It truly is a means for cultural connection.

ASIFA strives to support the opportunities for exchange and celebration that this event offers. Stimulating dynamics and collaborations between chapters, groups and agents from different countries, we try to assist in connecting animators to each other, celebrating our unique art form, and bringing animation art to the general public.

Each year, ASIFA groups around the world celebrate International Animation Day. In 2005, 37 different countries in all the continents celebrated this day. The various ASIFA groups celebrate IAD by screening animated films, organizing workshops, exhibiting artwork and stills, providing technical demonstrations, and helping to promote the art of animation.

In India, IAD has been celebrated every year since 2002 in various cities around the country. What started out as a small Animation Film celebration has now blossomed into a must-attend event for all Indian artists and has the support and sponsorship of multiple organizations throughout India.

IAD CELEBRATIONS

ASIFA Chapters and other institutions dedicated to animation are invited to join us on the promotion of suitable projects for IAD celebrations: screenings, workshops, conferences, and exhibitions. There are countries that promote a big event for the occasion, others simply point out this symbolic moment with one day of screenings and encounters. The important thing is to participate.

FILM PROGRAM EXCHANGE

To enhance the events and really contribute the diffusion of animation films, each IAD promoter has the possibility of trading animation programs between countries/partners. To organize, facilitate and help promote trades, please contact IAD curator. Also, please tell the coordinator what activities you organized.

Following IAD, a short report on the IAD celebrations and trades will be sent to all members and partners.

IAD IMAGE

Each year, ASIFA calls upon an important animator to create the poster for International Animation Day. It is then adapted for each country in order to guarantee a worldwide view of the event.

The 2018 IAD poster was generously created by René Castillo of ASIFA Mexico and his studio of animators. Animators at his studio contributed to the faces seen in the poster lending their hands to the styles, expressions, and mediums represented and expressing the creative, diverse potential of animation. The artist names are: Misael Barbosa, Mario Ruiz, Ricardo Niño, Emilia Castillo, Sofía Carrillo, Ángeles Vargas, Christian Alain, Juan Pablo Becerra, Eliant Elias and René Castillo.

Each organizer that promotes IAD event may use the poster and the labels to create its own communication tools according to its needs: printed posters, flyers, booklets, etc. To assure the coherence of IAD announcements and communication, these tools must include: the original IAD image (of the poster), the signature of the artist and ASIFA logo.

IMPORTANCE OF IAD

This day celebrates the rich history and growth of animation.
Its an International event with participants from all over the world.
This is a great opportunity to bring life to your creations.
Celebrated in over 40 countries across all continents.
The programs planned for the day include full length works and all varieties of animation art.
This day is a celebration of cross border exchange of ideas and culture

About ASIFA International

ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation) was founded in 1960 in Annecy, France as an association of individual animation artists. Today ASIFA can be described as an international network of numerous local ASIFA Chapters, which have developed their own local identities and special activities. These ‘local’ ASIFA Chapters send their representatives to the ASIFA Board. The key board positions, including President, Vice-Presidents, General Secretary, Treasurer and all additional functionaries are elected for three years by the ASIFA Board. All ASIFA Members can participate in the democratic decision processes through their chapter representatives and the ASIFA General Assembly.

Compared to the early years of ASIFA, when the Board Members were soley “animation artists”, the ASIFA Board today is composed of animation specialists from very different backgrounds. They are animation artists, producers, journalists, teachers, workshop leaders, festival directors, promotors of animated films, and so forth.

About ASIFA India

ASIFA India received its official charter on November 25, 2000, and it aspires to the same ideals and goals as the international organization. In this spirit, throughout the year, ASIFA India is involved in a lot of activities like

Workshops
Seminars
Case studies
Film screenings
The popular monthly CG Meetup series
Community activities